Energy Review - Welsh Lib Dem response to WAG submission

Release/Rhyddhau: 28/04/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

Mick Bates has expressed his disappointment at the Labour Assembly Government’s “unclear” message to Tony Blair on nuclear power stations.

Commenting on the Assembly Government’s response to the UK energy review, the Welsh Lib Dem environment spokesperson and chair of the Assembly’s cross-party sustainable energy group, said:

“Unfortunately Andrew Davies is trying to re-split the atom in the argument on nuclear in Wales. The Assembly Government wants it both ways. I welcome the opposition to Tony Blair’s plans to impose new nuclear powers station on Wales. But extending the life of Wylfa station betrays their half-hearted opposition to nuclear. The message to Westminster on nuclear from the Labour Assembly Government remains unclear.

“There is genuine concern about jobs associated with Wylfa. Anglesey Aluminium get their electricity from Wylfa and are naturally concerned about their future if the station is closed.  However, let us not forget that Wylfa has been closed before.  When that happened Anglesey Aluminium received their power from the National Grid.  In the long term they can generate energy from renewable resources around Anglesey. The government has known for years that the possible closure of Wylfa could occur in 2010 - why hasn’t there been an action plan deal with this?”

On the Severn Barrage, Mick said:
“Harnessing the tidal power of the Severn should not be dismissed out of hand. It remains to be seen whether a Barrage is the best way of doing this. We mustn’t lose sight of other potential tidal lagoons around our coastline. I will be carefully scrutinising these proposals.”

On micro-generation, Mick went on to say:
“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are the champions of community action to tackle climate change. Community democracy, involvement and investment is the only way to ensure that the development and use of renewable energy is an every-day, all-day part of life.

“The party is currently developing a wide-range of micro-generation polices that will promote and fund households and communities to take the lead. I’m confident that between now and the Welsh General Election in 2007, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will go from strength to strength as the green leaders in Welsh politics.”